Current job responsibilities?
As a Convention Bureau Director I am responsible for the city promotion as a destination for meetings and incentives. The Convention Bureau is helping and supporting local and international event organisers, publishing promotional brochures, videos, a website and other initiatives. We organise site inspections and familiarisation trips. In co-operation with the Croatian Convention & Incentive Bureau and industry representatives we participate in all major trade shows, workshops and other important events.
As we celebrate Kongres’s anniversary, what do you consider to be the primary issues of concern for the meetings industry?
Generally speaking, there are many issues nowadays affecting the meetings industry. It is because of its strong connection to the economy, science and education. I would say that the main issue affecting most markets is economic uncertainty. Other challenges include shorter lead times, extended use of technology and technology-related services. That implies that we need to have highly educated and flexible professionals prepared for constant change. Sustainability is becoming extremely important and this is affecting all aspects of the industry, from transportation to the destination, venue, meeting preparation, brochures, name tags, social programs, internal transportation – in short, every aspect of meeting organization. There is a demand of getting more for less and the industry should be prepared to deliver value for money.
What signs are there that confidence is returning to the market? In the wake of latest financial crisis, how is the meeting market in your country placed?
According to Croatian Bureau of Statistics and comparing the figures with those of 2010, Croatia has 13% more meetings in the period from January to September. 14% more meetings took place in Zagreb in the same period. According to ICCA, Zagreb has significantly improved its rank – from 171st to 79th place. That gives us good reason to be satisfactied, but we also need to be aware of the fact that global economic uncertainty can affect the positive process in our micro locations.
What are your plans for the Zagreb Convention Bureau in terms of strategic development?
From the legal side, our main role is promotion. We will, therefore, try to open new markets for Zagreb and wherever possible to improve performance to increase business volume. Improving the overall quality of the product is our main goal, and this is something we need to achieve together with our meetings industry and all stakeholders.
What key source markets are you targeting and why?
We try to target markets from the region and Europe, as well as overseas, especially the American market, which is very important for us. Direct flights and/or good flight connections are strongly related to this issue. Due to a lack of time, many corporate meeting and incentive organizers are looking for ‘new’, closer destinations offering value for money.
Why should meeting planners choose Zagreb over any other destination in region?
The whole region is very interesting for organizers, because for many of them it represents something new and different. Flight connections within European cities and major hubs are very good and are constantly improving. The uniqueness of Zagreb as a destination lies in its combination of central Europe and Mediterranean influence. It is also a city which offers a broad range of different venues; hotels, museums, galleries and other historical venues ready to be used for events. There is a good selection of 4 and 5 star hotels, as well as other accommodation facilities. Many of the historical venues are very close to each other and can easily be combined with hotels. There are lots of street events the whole year round, making city life more vibrant and interesting. Last but not least, Zagreb is a safe city that is friendly and welcoming to its visitors.
What will be the Zagreb highlights in 2012?
We hope that the positive trend will continue and that the efforts of our industry will be rewarded. Some of the announced meetings in 2012 are General Assembly of European Cities Marketing, FEAAV Conference (Spanish federation of travel agents), and the Child in the City conference.
Any new meeting spaces and hotels in Zagreb to come online in 2012?
Yes, the Double Tree by Hilton will be opened in Zagreb in 2012. The new hotel brand with meeting facilities will contribute to the overall positive picture of the city as a business destination.
If you could visit any meeting destination in the world, where it would be and why?
There are many meetings destinations I would like to visit, but if I need to choose just a few, they would be somewhere in Asia; Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Hong Kong. I would like to visit their convention centers and explore what these cities have to offer.
How would you describe your typical day?
Anyone working in this industry knows that there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’, and that’s the beauty and the challenge at the same time. Morning coffee and briefing with my colleagues, checking and answering emails, meetings and paperwork are daily routine.
Tell us something we don’t know about Zagreb?
The best kept secret about Zagreb is waiting for you to be discovered.
What are your personal ambitions at the Zagreb Convention Bureau? Where do you see Zagreb in five years time?
I see Zagreb as a modern European metropolis, with a convention centre and new airport terminal. I see a lot of work for all of us in the industry in order to increase the quality and maintain the growth of the destination.
Do you support the Croatian Meeting Professionals Association? What do you consider to be its role?
I support the effort of the association to articulate the interest of their members. With the right strategy, I think they can help them to achieve better results by setting new, higher quality standards.
